Jurgen Klopp won the battle of managerial masterminds at
Anfield as Liverpool’s 1-0 victory put a dent in Manchester City’s title
aspirations
.
.
For two teams who like to dominate possession there were a
lot of loose balls flying around midfield and while the predicted goal-fest
between the Premier League’s leading two scorers did not materialise it was a
fascinating encounter stage-managed by two of the world’s top coaches.
Klopp was first to show his hand and comfortably won the
opening 45 minutes. Guardiola gained a reaction from his side after the break
but failed to conjure a goal – or even a decent scoring opportunity – out of
his expensively-assembled side.
City’s top scorer Sergio Aguero, back after a four-match
suspension, barely had a kick until he registered their first shot on target in
the 54th minute.
The visitors were stifled by Liverpool’s incessant pressing
and harrying with makeshift left-back James Milner epitomising the team ethic
with a complete shut-out job on former Reds winger Raheem Sterling, eight years
his junior.
Liverpool’s goal, in the eighth minute, typified their
approach. Aleksandar Kolarov lost possession in opposition territory with
Wijnaldum moving the ball to Roberto Firmino whose outside-of-the-foot pass to
Adam Lallana was matched by an equally tasty cross from the midfielder.
Wijnaldum, who had raced 60 yards, comfortably out-jumped
Kolarov to power a header past Claudio Bravo.
Lallana, a player reborn under Klopp, continues to be the
man around whom this team revolves and no midfielder in Europe has been as
involved with seven goals and seven assists.
Liverpool’s control in midfield, something which would have
alarmed but not surprised Guardiola, allowed Emre Can to curl a shot wide
before Firmino, for once, was fractionally off with his timing after Yaya Toure
was robbed of possession and Lallana had just strayed into an offside position
as he threatened to run through one-on-one with Bravo.
Momentum swung City’s way after the break as they began to
dominate the centre ground but even with David Silva, who whipped a shot past
the post, seeing more of the ball they could still not either free up Aguero or
create much in the way of chances.
Nevertheless anxiety spread around Anfield but City –
watched by captain Vincent Kompany in with the away fans – could not capitalise
with another unconvincing performance on the road which poses yet more
questions for which Guardiola has yet to find answers for.
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